It’s change motivated by our desire to help others because we are human and we care.

It’s help after a devastating fire. It’s a warm bed for a homeless person.

It’s a cure for disease, a scholarship to college and support for the arts.

It’s your commitment to developing vibrancy and a greater quality of life in our communities.

It’s the change we want to see happen in the world around us.

These words, found in the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada’s Case for Support, are such a good reminder of why we do what we do. As I end my term as Chair, I find myself re-reading those words and reflecting on what we’ve done in the past few years to fulfill the promise of philanthropy in Canada.

After all, it’s not the number of meetings we attended, the notes we wrote up, or the updated policies we developed that mark our progress. Instead, it’s what we’ve done to stimulate positive change around us.

Thanks to our many generous supporters, dedicated volunteers and hard-working staff, we have a lot to celebrate: